CJP refers to impression of legislation for personal benefits

CJP refers to impression of legislation for personal benefits

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Chief Justice (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial said on Friday that the Supreme Court would avoid interfering in the country’s political affairs but would protect the constitution and laws.

Chief Justice, as he presides over his three-man bench on the Supreme Court to hear his PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s petition to challenge the coalition’s 1999 amendment to the National Accountability Ordinance, made these statements.

Judges Ijazul Ahsen and Syed Mansoor Ali Shah were other members of the bench. The Supreme Court said it would guarantee full cooperation with institutions that uphold the constitution and the rule of law. He said he had the impression that parliamentary parties were enacting laws for personal gain.

“Make sure that the Supreme Court does not have the intention to legislate because Congress is the highest body and it is the job of Members of Parliament to legislate. We are only guardians of the Constitution.” CJP said.

He said the courts do not interfere in the country’s political affairs, but review laws passed against the basic rights of the people. “But if the changes made to the NAB Act turn out to be a joke in the accountability process, it will constitute a violation of fundamental rights,” CJP said. found the evidence presented by the petition to be inadmissible under the NAB Amendments.

He said there were no obstacles, adding that the arrest was made considering the nature of the crime. Association lawyer Makdoom Ali Khan said the accused will be released after conviction, the stain will not go away and the family will suffer for a long time. said he did not support The Chief Justice recalled that the Supreme Court issued a notice of suomotsu on government intervention in the prosecution and investigation process of criminal cases, and they convened the record of high-profile cases to ensure that this one case could be dealt with. As such, he added that he would only consider them. was awarded.

“We observed the NAB case and loopholes in his NAB law,” CJP said, adding that his 90-day pretrial detention under NAB law could not be verified. The CJP said the criminal justice system only allows him 14 days of pretrial detention.

Judge Syed Mansoor Ali Shah asked (parliament) whether parliament would repeal the entire NAB law and whether people could appeal it. The lawyer replied that when parliament is not functioning, the courts are there to deal with the problem. should avoid interfering with the
“Parliament is a convenient forum for discussion,” McDoom said. He said the U.S. Supreme Court always supports elected governments. CJP said the Supreme Court’s ruling made him critical of the NAB statute, adding that the court would proceed cautiously on the issue at hand.

“We must uphold the supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law,” said the CJP, adding that the country faced an extraordinary situation. He said about 150 members of the petitioner’s party are not currently in parliament, adding that they are staunch supporters of parliamentary supremacy.

“Therefore, the Court should not give the impression that it intervenes in parliamentary affairs,” added the Chief Justice. Earlier, Kawajah Harris, an attorney for petitioner Imran Khan, asked for time to make a brief statement on the issues at hand and changes to the NAB law.Mr Harris had just recovered from Covid-19. Therefore, it is necessary to have time to submit a concise wording. Meanwhile, the court postponed the hearing to September 1.

Credit/Source : THENEWSPK